Their behaviour landed them in trouble – Akufo-Addo justifies detention of anti-Galamsey protestors

In the wake of growing calls for the release of the 53 detained anti-Galamsey protesters, President Akufo-Addo has spoken against suggestions that the government is stifling voices of dissent.

Speaking to France-based Television network France24 on Friday, October 4, the President stated that he acknowledges peaceful protest as a core pillar of democracy.

The case of the Democracy Hub Protesters is being prosecuted by the office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice after the police arrested and reportedly held some of them beyond the permissible forty-eight hours before taking them to court.

Some legal luminaries have described the state’s detention of the protesters as harsh considering that they were protesting against a critical matter of illegal mining which is destroying water bodies and forest reserves.

Some lawyers are of the view that the protesters could have been granted bail immediately after their arrest, since the charges against them are misdemeanours.

Critics believe the State is abusing processes to punish the demonstrators, who have since filed a suit against the government.

“I am not responsible for jailing people in Ghana. The courts in Ghana are independent institutions and they have been so through the Fourth Republic. People misconduct themselves and are brought before the court it is for the court, it is for the court to deal with them, it has nothing to do with the executive, and their behaviour is what landed them in trouble with the Police and the court.

“How can a president whose political career was aided by leading protests have problems with protests, I don’t have problems with protests and nothing is done in Ghana to prevent people from airing their views.”

He called for peaceful demonstrations and urged protesters to work with the relevant authorities to find sustainable solutions to the Galamsey menace.